Robotic workstation for automated purification of nucleic acids from up to 14 samples using EZ1 Kits: includes Priority Package with software, installation, training, 2-year warranty on parts and labor, and 2 preventive maintenance visits

Robotic workstation for automated purification of nucleic acids from up to 14 samples using EZ1 Kits: includes Priority Package with software, installation, training, 3-year warranty on parts and labor, and 3 preventive maintenance visits

EZ1 Advanced Instruments are intended to be used only in combination with QIAGEN kits indicated for use with EZ1 Advanced Instruments for the applications described in the kit handbooks.

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Simple protocol.|Flexibility and ease of use.|Standardization and traceability.|Safety and reliability.|

1. Insert the EZ1 Advanced XL Card with the desired protocol into the card slot and start the instrument. 2. Place samples and prefilled, sealed reagent cartridges into the instrument. Samples are processed automatically and purified nucleic acids are transferred to elution tubes. 3. Remove pure nucleic acids in 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes at a concentration suited to the downstream application.|A wide range of preprogrammed protocols, without the need for any manual data entry, are available on EZ1 Advanced XL Cards for purification of DNA, RNA, or viral nucleic acids. New cards may be purchased — increasing the range of purification protocols without any retraining or costly modifications to the instrument.|The EZ1 Advanced XL instrument sets new standards in data management. Barcode reading enables complete tracking of samples and reagents throughout the entire purification process. For increased process control and reliability, reagent identification and lot numbers are logged together with the expiration date, and a warning is issued if the expiration date has been exceeded. The run report is compatible with subsequent processing by a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).|The EZ1 Advanced XL has been designed to ensure high process safety, high performance, and user convenience. A sensor ensures that the instrument door remains closed during sample preparation, reducing contact of laboratory personnel with potentially infectious samples and protecting sample integrity. At the end of each run, an intelligent-design UV lamp decontaminates the inner surface of the instrument. If required, the instrument can be placed in a safety cabinet, providing increased user safety.|

Standardization and traceability

The EZ1 Advanced XL sets new standards in data management. Barcode reading enables complete tracking of samples and reagents throughout the entire purification process. Notes and assay identification information can also be easily entered. For increased process control and reliability, reagent identification and lot numbers are logged together with the expiration date, and a warning is issued if the expiration date has been exceeded. The run report, automatically generated at the end of each protocol, contains all relevant instrument information, including maintenance procedures and decontamination data. The instruments generate a pdf and a csv file after each run. Data can be easily transferred to a printer or computer within the network and the report file can be subsequently processed by a LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System).

Proven technology with improved performance

Proven EZ1 Kits, in combination with EZ1 Advanced XL Cards, ensure high-performance results in purification procedures. The unrivaled ease of use of the EZ1 Advanced XL enables fast and reproducible purification, without the need for specialized training or previous experience with laboratory automation. The extensive application range, including DNA purification from blood, tissues, and human identity and forensic samples, RNA purification from cells and tissues, and purification of viral nucleic acids from a range of sample types, delivers the flexibility that is essential for laboratories.

Safety and reliability

The EZ1 Advanced XL has been designed to ensure high process safety, high performance, and user convenience. A sensor ensures that the instrument door remains closed during sample preparation, reducing contact of laboratory personnel with potentially infectious samples and protecting sample integrity. At the end of each run, an intelligent-design UV lamp decontaminates the inner surface of the instrument. UV decontamination is highly effective in eliminating Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (see tables). If required, the instrument can be placed in a safety cabinet, providing increased user safety.

E. coli colony numbers

Irradiation (min)

Run

1

2

3

4

5

6

30

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

30

2

0

0

0

1

0

0

30

3

10

0

0

0

0

3

30

Control

311

352

367

367

351

396

60

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

60

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

60

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

60

Control

348

307

326

326

396

385

Six replicates (20 μl each) of Escherichia coli cultures (17,750 CFU/ml) were irradiated using the integrated UV lamp of the EZ1 Advanced, followed by growth on plates in appropriate culture medium. Three independent irradiation runs were performed. Irradiation using the UV lamp was highly effective in eliminating bacteria.

S. haemolyticus colony numbers

Irradiation (min)

Run

1

2

3

4

5

6

30

1

12

10

17

2

6

4

30

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

30

3

10

0

2

11

0

3

30

Control

248

256

396

314

321

267

60

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

60

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

60

3

10

0

0

0

0

0

60

Control

264

305

368

292

347

388

Six replicates (20 μl each) of Staphylococcus haemolyticus cultures (15,700 CFU/ml) were irradiated using the integrated UV lamp of the EZ1 Advanced, followed by growth on plates in appropriate culture medium. Three independent irradiation runs were performed. Irradiation using the UV lamp was highly effective in eliminating bacteria.

Flexibility and ease of use

The self-contained EZ1 Advanced XL instrument ensures optimal ease of use and walkaway automation. A wide range of protocols is available for purification of DNA, RNA, or viral nucleic acids. Up to 14 samples can be processed per run in as little as 20 minutes. The instrument is operated via a keypad, and instrument information is displayed on the VFD (vacuum fluorescent display).

All processing steps are performed by the instruments — from piercing reagent cartridges to elution of pure nucleic acids. A separate computer is not required for operation, and EZ1 Kits include all reagents and accessories required to process your samples. EZ1 Kits provide prefilled, foil-sealed reagent cartridges that remain sealed until the instrument door is closed and the protocol run started, reducing the risk of contamination during setup.

If desired, up to 4 EZ1 Advanced XL instruments can be connected to an external computer, expanding throughput up to 56 samples per run. This enables you to easily adapt your laboratory setup to changing sample preparation requirements.

EZ1 Kits and EZ1 Advanced XL Cards for a wide range of applications

The EZ1 Advanced XL uses proven EZ1 Kits with preprogrammed protocols on EZ1 Advanced XL Cards. EZ1 Kits are available for a broad range of applications including work in human identity and forensics, biomedical research, and gene expression analysis (see table).

This protocol has been adapted by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Crime Laboratory from the standard QIAGEN pretreatment for casework samples, and is intended for the lysis and extraction of DNA from forensic samples of fired (casings) and unfired (cartridges) ammunition.